Category: Bird Hunting

For me, puppies are something special! From puppy breath to big paws, soft bellies and long ears, young puppies make me feel their youth. Having raised only one puppy (English Pointer), I welcome the opportunity to work with them EVERY chance I get. This is a quick look at Dunham, a Viszula puppy. They are wonderful field dogs for hunting upland game birds and like the other bird dogs breeds, they are wonderful, energetic dogs to welcome into active families!

Cute profile, right?

Dunham made himself comfortable right away and took to playing ‘ham’ right away. His beautiful, oaky-colored coat was perfect with the surroundings I picked out for him. Can’t you just feel that soft, supple body? And how about that pointing tail?

Should I jump?

One of the things I noticed about him right away was that he was fascinated with my Five Fingers shoes I was wearing. In spite of any noise I could produce, he kept looking at my feet. Here’s one of those moments. Don’t you just love that furrowed forehead he has to grow into?

Are we going on vacation?

I was hoping that Dunham would curl up into the suitcase and take a little puppy nap, but instead, he decided that playing with the little, fluffy blanket was a lot more fun! So heck, capture that fun! Take a look at those elephant ears as he reacts to his mom’s distress that he’s ruining my prop.

Is this OK to do?

Finally the activity started to take it’s toll and Dunham nestled into the nest we made for him. See that ‘getting sleepy’ look in his eyes? He’s just so cute!

My own nest.

At last, Dunham succumbed to his fatigue and I got a nice sleepy image. The images from awake to asleep are hilarious but I’ve cut to the chase here. If you know of anyone that has a puppy under 10 weeks and they’d like to be a MODEL for me. Let them know and we’ll set up a Complimentary session with a print to take home. I’m also looking for kittens to photography!

The calendar says Spring is here but the clothing I needed to wear while photographing Pointers and English Setters in the field deceived me! A steady 30 mph wind blew relentlessly from the west as John and Austin carefully set up the homing pigeons in a grassy area of his property. Secured from the dogs, the pigeons settled while the dogs, hitched to a strip of chain, barked, whined and waited for their turn to scent and point the birds.

The first two dogs, seen below, came down the mowed path, picked up the scent, and like a trained Marine in a drill team, pivoted sharply to their left at the first sniff of the pigeon scent, and assumed the statuesque point of a bird dog. Beautiful – simply beautiful!

This scent test was sponsored by Illinois Bird Dog rescue (IBR) and they hold these tests to see how their rescue dogs are doing. All of the dogs that enter their rescue are tested for tick-borne diseases. Since May is Lyme disease month, it’s important to know that Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Erlichiosis, Babesia and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in both humans and dogs. Once a disease like Lyme is discovered through veterinary care, the long process of treatment is begone.

One of the clinical manifestations that IBR sees in infected dogs is that their nose doesn’t work as well until the treatment process progresses. A few dogs came down the path and barely scented the bird but none were scared. Time and medication are on their side. One of John’s dogs below displays a calm, steady point as I am at the level of the pigeon. Take a look at that ‘flag!’

Whoa!

The were even a few ‘fresh’ rescues that participated and while they were working on their point, this one took the time to show off the typical Pointer personality and temperament. What’s not to love about a Pointer? John should know, he owns a few of them, and this one is up for adoption.

Puppy Love

As the day wore on, the sun started popping out and the landscape of east-central IL took on a painterly quality to it. The dogs were done with their scent test but that didn’t stop them from picking up the scent of free-range pheasants that wafted through the strong winds. Genevieve (English Setter) and Athena (English Pointer) had just come into the rescue the night before and in spite of little rest, they showed off their best looks for me. Chloe has already been adopted and Genevieve will not be far behind! Sweet dogs!

Genevieve

Athena

A big Thank You goes to John and Rita for opening their home and property to us. They also have hunt horses that they care for. The dogs can also be in the field and hunt out ahead of the owner/hunter on horseback. It’s a team approach! Here’s John and Rita with one of their great Pointers.

The TEAM

I hope someday to photograph a hunt that occurs on horseback. Maybe in the Fall when the light, and wind will make for gorgeous photos! If you’d like more info about adopting/fostering an English Pointer or English Setter, click here.

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